The Western genre holds a certain predictability that can be both loved and loathed by its readers. A commonality that is seen within this genre is the need to accentuate the value of America through a mythology known as the Frontier Thesis. Through the Frontier Thesis, there is a need to physically push the boundaries of America and with that, a certain lifestyle had become associated with this ideology. Within Valdez is Coming the characteristics and lifestyle associated with the frontier is exemplified through the characterization of Valdez and the segundo while also being questioned as a lifestyle that stands alone from domesticity. The frontier lifestyle is shaped around the idea of what it means to be man; it defines masculinity as: having profound strength, remaining emotionally neutral, acquiring a vast knowledge of guns and rifles, and indulging in hard liquor. In order to be a cowboy, these ideals must be met and cannot be mixed with thoughts or feelings of domesticity. However, within the novel, Valdez is referred to as both Bob and Roberto representing a ‘domestic’ and ‘frontier’ version of himself respectively: “Roberto Valdez kept watch up the slope and Bob Valdez, inside him, pictured the woman …show more content…
Within the context of the passage, the segundo reminds himself that he is number two to Tanner’s number one and accepts this limitation. In contrast to how he reacted within the passage, when confronted by Mr. Tanner near the end of the novel, “The segundo did not move or seem about to speak” (Leonard 279). What may seem like a subtle change shows that there was once a time where the segundo would be quick to analyze Mr. Tanner’s body language and give an appropriate response. However, he now feels freed from the limitations of superiority associated with the